Large-scale manufacturing of sugar in Brazil started with the 1532 expedition to São Vicente, led by Martim Afonso de Sousa.

[3] It became the property of Erasmus II Schetz around 1540, via the commercial representatives Johan Van Hielst and João Veniste.

The site was owned by various families, including Braz Esteves, Pedrosa, Góis, Muniz Guimarães, Viana, Marques do Vale, Graça Martins and Toledo.

He donated it to the Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras in 1958 and it has been administered by the University of São Paulo since then.

[5] It is open for visitors, with free entry from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday through Sunday each week[4] and various events are held at the site, including workshops and concerts.